November 27, 2017

Look back with pride, ahead with optimism

Later this week, we will be welcoming Dr. Brooks Jackson as the new Vice President for Medical Affairs and Dean of the Carver College of Medicine. Dr. Jackson is a nationally recognized and highly respected academic and health care leader who understands well the changing environment we are experiencing and the multiple challenges facing academic medicine today. He will be surrounded by a terrific group of academic and clinical leaders, by outstanding department chairs, by exceptional faculty, by fabulous staff, nurses, and volunteers, by talented resident and fellow physicians, and by brilliant and remarkable students at all levels.

The high level of integration and culture of collaboration we have achieved at UI Health Care as well as the level of excellence each of you brings to our organization were very important in his decision to move to the University of Iowa and be our leader. I am excited by his appointment and by what he will bring to our academic institution, to our clinical enterprise and to the university.

Our successes over the last 15 years have been the result of our ability to innovate, to think creatively, to work together and to collaborate, but more importantly to always seek excellence at every level of our enterprise—in education with our new curriculum; in research with large investments in our facilities and faculty and the creation of multiple centers and institutes; and in our clinical programs, including the UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital.

These outstanding achievements are your achievements, and you should be very proud and celebrate what you have achieved. This exceptional growth happened because you were ready to take risks, to be bold, to work together and to see the future with optimism even if the challenges were often overwhelming. For me, it has been a unique privilege to serve you all those years and to participate with you in making the lives of our patients and fellow Iowans better. There are no words to thank you enough for what you have done.

Look back and be proud, but also look forward and be optimistic; you are the solution to the challenges we are facing in academic medicine and heath care. I have no doubt that you will continue your great work and that you will support our new leader and continue to change medicine and change lives. You are part of an exceptional institution, a model for the country, and the envy of everyone.

Editor’s note: This is the final VPMA Voice column. Dr. Brooks Jackson begins as VPMA/Dean on Thursday, Nov. 30, and information about communication from Dr. Jackson will follow.